Portland Fruit Tree Project

by Liz Sedlak

The Portland Fruit Tree Project is an all-volunteer organization that works to inventory and harvest from fruit trees around the city. Many people have fruit trees on their property that bear fruit but are unable to gather or use all of it. Now, they can register their tree(s) with the Portland Fruit Tree Project so that organized volunteers come to harvest the fruit and ensure it does not go to waste. In 2007, the Project harvested 3400 pounds of fruit that otherwise would have been wasted. Half of every Fruit Tree Project harvest is given to the volunteers; the other half is distributed to people in need throughout the city of Portland via local food pantries.

In addition to fruit harvesting, the Fruit Tree Project also hosts tree care (pruning, etc.) workshops and fruit preservation workshops. This organization is contributing to community food security by taking advantage of an abundant yet overlooked local food supply and working to broaden the community’s knowledge (and notions) about growing food in an urban environment.

Contact information:

Director: Katy Kolker, katy@portlandfruit.org

Website: portlandfruit.org

Address: 3125 E. Burnside St. Portland, OR 97214

Phone: 503.284.6106

Email: info@portlandfruit.org

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